 May 2002
American Friends Service Committee Peacework Magazine Patrica Watson, Editor Sara Burke, Assistant Editor Pat Farren, Founding Editor 2161 Massachusetts Ave. Telephone number: Fax number:
pwork@igc.org Peacework has been published monthly since 1972, intended to serve as a source of dependable information to those who strive for peace and justice and are committed to furthering the nonviolent social change necessary to achieve them. Rooted in Quaker values and informed by AFSC experience and initiatives, Peacework offers a forum for organizers, fostering coalition-building and teaching the methods and strategies that work in the global and local community. Peacework seeks to serve as an incubator for social transformation, introducing a younger generation to a deeper analysis of problems and issues, reminding and re-inspiring long-term activists, encouraging the generations to listen to each other, and creating space for the voices of the disenfranchised. Views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of the AFSC. |
East Timor, the World's Newest Country, Threatened by Economic Chains On May 20, East Timor celebrates its first Independence Day. But the jubilation may be short-lived. A lack of funds could stand in the way of East Timor's commitment to use its revenues for health care and education rather than to service a debt to wealthy states and financial institutions. The East Timorese government has joined with civil society in making poverty alleviation its highest priority. Top officials have publicly affirmed their determination to avoid the debt trap faced by so many countries in the Global South, and a "no loans" policy has been put into place. The nascent government faces an estimated US $154-$184 million shortfall in its already lean budget for the first three years of independence. We have a unique chance to take pre-emptive action and prevent the stranglehold of structural adjustment, loans, and the vicious cycle of poverty from putting its deadly grip on the new country. On May 14 and 15, donor countries and international financial institutions will hold a pledging conference to cover the financing gap in Dili, East Timor's capital. With concerted grassroots pressure from within the US and other countries, we can make sure that grants with no strings attached cover the gap in its entirety. Otherwise, East Timor may have no choice but to resort to loans with terms dictated by the IMF, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank. We must not let this happen. What You Can Do Call, fax, and Email your Senators, Representative, and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage. For a sample letter, talking points, and background information, see www.etan.org. You can call Richard Armitage at 202/647-9641. The congressional switchboard number is 202-224-3121, or check www.congress.org on the Internet for fax and Email information. --East Timor Action Network (ETAN), 48 Duffield St., Brooklyn NY 11201; 718/596-7668; www.etan.org On May 20, East Timor celebrates its first Independence Day. But the jubilation may be short-lived. A lack of funds could stand in the way of East Timor's commitment to use its revenues for health care and education rather than to service a debt to wealthy states and financial institutions. The East Timorese government has joined with civil society in making poverty alleviation its highest priority. Top officials have publicly affirmed their determination to avoid the debt trap faced by so many countries in the Global South, and a "no loans" policy has been put into place. The nascent government faces an estimated US $154-$184 million shortfall in its already lean budget for the first three years of independence. We have a unique chance to take pre-emptive action and prevent the stranglehold of structural adjustment, loans, and the vicious cycle of poverty from putting its deadly grip on the new country. On May 14 and 15, donor countries and international financial institutions will hold a pledging conference to cover the financing gap in Dili, East Timor's capital. With concerted grassroots pressure from within the US and other countries, we can make sure that grants with no strings attached cover the gap in its entirety. Otherwise, East Timor may have no choice but to resort to loans with terms dictated by the IMF, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank. We must not let this happen. What You Can Do Call, fax, and Email your Senators, Representative, and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage. For a sample letter, talking points, and background information, see www.etan.org. You can call Richard Armitage at 202/647-9641. The congressional switchboard number is 202-224-3121, or check www.congress.org on the Internet for fax and Email information.
--East Timor Action Network (ETAN), 48 Duffield St.,
Brooklyn NY 11201; 718/596-7668; www.etan.org 
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